Mold structure for forming keypad panel

ABSTRACT

A mold structure for forming a keypad panel includes a mold base, a transparent mold core and a fixed board. The mold base has an opening, a connecting portion around the opening, a containing space extended from the connecting portion, a positioning portion and a groove on the surface of the mold base, and screw holes inside the containing space. The transparent mold cavity has a body, a connecting edge around the periphery of the body and attached to the connecting portion, and a mold of a keypad panel on the surface of transparent mold cavity and exposed from the opening of the mold base. The fixed board has an opening for projecting light onto the transparent mold cavity and through holes around the periphery of the opening for securing screws into the screw holes to assemble the fixed board into the containing space and press the transparent mold cavity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a mold, and more particularlyto a mold for manufacturing a keypad panel.

2. Description of Prior Art

Keypad panels of mobile phones tend to be lightweight, super thin,backlight and modulated, and also emphasize on a diversified appearanceand an integral design. Technically, the keypad panel tends to reducethe number of component modules and the gap between keys, and features abacklight, a metal appearance, a soft or silk texture, and a highintegrity, and thus the design and technology of a keypad panel becomeimportant subjects for the research and development of mobile phones.

In the manufacture of a traditional keypad panel of a mobile phone, itis necessary to prepare a mold 100 (as shown in FIG. 1) composed of anopaque male mold 200 and a female mold 300. The male mold 200 includes aplurality of openings 201, and a lateral side of the opening 201includes a screw hole 202, and the opening 201 is provided for fixing atransparent mold plate 203 with a light transmittance, and a surface ofthe transparent mold plate 203 includes a first model 204 having aprotruded keypad panel, and a lateral side of the first model 204includes a through hole 205 for passing through a screw 206 to securethe transparent mold plate 203 to the opening 201. The female mold 300includes a plurality of second models 301 corresponding to the firstmodels 204. In the manufacture of a keypad panel, a plastic material isinjected between the male mold 200 and the female mold 300, and then theplastic material will fill up the space between the first and secondmodels 204, 301 of the male mold 200 and the female mold 300. During alight projection, light passes through the transparent mold plate 203 tocure the plastic, so as to complete manufacturing the keypad panel.

Since the manufacture of the keypad panel requires securing thetransparent mold plates 203 to the male mold 200 one by one, thereforethe manufacturing process of the keypad panel takes more manufacturingtime and procedures for assembling the male mold. If one of the secondmodels 301 of the female mold 300 is damaged, it is necessary to replacethe whole female mold 300, and thus causing a waste of female mold 300.Furthermore, when the light curing projection is performed, light can beprojected from a lateral side of the male mold 200 only, but cannot beprojected from a lateral side of the female mold 300, and thus the lightprojecting direction is limited, and the keypad panels of a particularmodel can be made one at a time only.

In addition, when the transparent mold plate 203 uses a through hole 205at its diagonal to pass a screw 206 through the opening 201 of the malemold 200, a seam may be created when the opening 201 and the transparentmold plate 203 are engaged with each other at their lateral sides, sincethe opening 201 and the transparent mold plate 203 are not secured byany screw 206, and a plastic leak occurs easily, when the plastic isinjected into the male and female molds 200, 300.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a simpleand easy mold, so as to make the installation of the mold easier withouta plastic leak, and allow manufacturers to perform a light curing fromthe top or the bottom of the mold. Manufacturers simply require changinga transparent mold core of the mold for the manufacture of differentmodels of keypad panels.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the present invention provides amold structure for forming a keypad panel, comprising a mold base, atransparent mold core and a fixed plate. The mold base has an opening,and an internal periphery of the opening has a joint portion forconnecting the transparent mold core, and the opening is provided forexposing a surface of the transparent mold core. The joint portion has acontaining space, and the fixed plate can be installed in the containingspace for pressing the transparent mold core. Further, a surface of themold base has a positioning portion and a groove, and the interior ofthe mold base disposed in the containing space has a plurality of screwholes for securing the screws. The transparent mold core has a mainbody, and the periphery of the main body has a joint edge, such thatwhen the transparent mold core and the mold base are installed, thejoint edge of the transparent mold core can be installed onto the jointportion. Further, a surface of the transparent mold core has a model inthe shape of a keypad panel. The fixed plate has an opening thereon forpassing and projecting light onto the transparent mold core. Theperiphery of the opening has a plurality of through holes for passingand securing the screws into the screw holes of the mold baserespectively, so that the fixed plate can be installed into thecontaining space of the mold base to press the transparent mold core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mold used for manufacturing keypadpanels in accordance with a prior art;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a mold of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a lateral section view of a mold of the present invention;

FIGS. 4 to 6 are schematic views of using a mold assembly of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of projecting light in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of another mold of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a section view of another mold of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an application of the present invention;and

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of another application of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The technical characteristics, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent in the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.The drawings are provided for reference and illustration only, but notintended for limiting the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 for an exploded view and a lateral sectionview of a mold in accordance with the present invention respectively,the mold structure is used for forming a keypad panel, and the mold 10comprises a mold base 1, a transparent mold core 2 and a fixed plate 3.

The mold base 1 includes an opening 11, a stairway-like joint portion 12disposed around an internal periphery of the opening 11 for connectingthe transparent mold core 2, and the opening 11 is provided for exposinga surface 23 of the transparent mold core 2. A containing space 13 isextended from the joint portion 12 of the mold base 1 and interconnectedwith the opening 11, such that when the transparent mold core 2 isinstalled in the opening 11, the fixed plate 3 can be installed in thecontaining space 13 to press the transparent mold core 2, and thus theperiphery of the transparent mold core 2 can be attached closely withthe internal periphery of the opening 11. The mold base 1 includes apositioning portion 14 and a groove 15 disposed on a surface 17 of themold base 1, and the positioning portion 14 is used for positioning athin film (not shown in the figure), and the groove 15 is provided for aplastic overflow. The interior of the mold base 1 includes a pluralityof screw holes 16 disposed in the containing space 13 for securingscrews 4.

The transparent mold core 2 includes a main body 21 thereon, astairway-like joint edge 22 disposed around a periphery of the main body21, such that when the transparent mold core 2 and the mold base 1 areinstalled, the joint edge 22 of the transparent mold core 2 can beinstalled on the joint portion 12. The transparent mold core 2 furtherincludes a model disposed on a surface 23 and having a shape of a keypadpanel for forming a pattern or a shape of the keypad panel.

The fixed plate 3 includes an opening 31 for passing and projectinglight onto the transparent mold core 2, and the diagonal of the opening31 includes a plurality of through holes 32 for passing and securingscrews 4 into the screw holes 16 of the mold base 1 respectively, sothat the fixed plate 3 can be installed in the containing space 13 ofthe mold base 1.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6 for schematic views of a mold structure inaccordance with a preferred embodiment, after the mold is assembled, anultraviolet curing resin 5 is dispensed on a surface 17 of the mold base1 or a surface 23 of the transparent mold core 2 of the mold, and then apositioning hole 61 on a thin film 6 is sheathed onto a positioningportion 14 of the mold base 1, so that the thin film presses on theultraviolet curing resin 5.

A scraper or a roller 7 is used to scrape or roll on the surface of thethin film 6 to squeeze the air between the plastic thin film 6 and theultraviolet curing resin 5 or between the ultraviolet curing resin 5 andthe model 24 of the transparent mold core 2 to the outside in order toprevent remaining air from forming bubbles between the plastic thin film6 and the ultraviolet curing resin 5 or between the ultraviolet curingresin 5 and the model 24. During the scraping or rolling process, theultraviolet curing resin 5 will flow to the groove 15, if there is anoverflow of ultraviolet curing resin 5.

Referring to FIG. 7 for a schematic view of projecting UV light inaccordance with the present invention, an ultraviolet lamp 8 is situatedat the bottom of the mold base 1 and corresponding to the transparentmold core 2, such that when the ultraviolet lamp 8 is lit, the producedultraviolet light 81 passes through the opening 31 of the fixed plate 3,and then passes through the main body of the transparent mold core 2 tosolidify the ultraviolet curing resin 5.

If the plastic thin film 6 is transparent, the ultraviolet lamp 8 can beinstalled at the top of the mold base 1 for projecting the ultravioletlight 81 onto the ultraviolet curing resin 5.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 for an exploded view and a section view of anassembly of another preferred embodiment of the invention respectively,a mold 9 of the invention comprises: a mold base 91, a transparent moldcore 92 and a fixed plate 93, wherein the mold base 91 includes aplurality of openings 911, each having a stairway-like joint portion 912disposed around the periphery of the opening 911 for installing thetransparent mold core 92, and the opening 911 is provided for exposing asurface 923 of the transparent mold core 92. A containing space 913 isextended from a plurality of joint portions 912 of the mold base 91 andinterconnected with the opening 911, such that when the transparent moldcore 92 is installed in the opening 911, the fixed plate 93 can beinstalled in the containing space 913 to press the transparent mold core92, and the periphery of the transparent mold core 92 can be attached tothe internal periphery of the opening 911. Further, a surface 917 of themold base 1 includes a positioning portion 914 and a groove 915, and thepositioning portion 914 is used for positioning a thin film (not shownin the figures), and the groove 915 is provided for a plastic overflow.The interior of the mold base 91 includes a screw hole 916 in thecontaining space 913 for securing a screw 94.

The periphery of the main body 921 of the transparent mold core 92 has astairway-like joint edge 922, such that when the transparent mold core92 and the mold base 91 are installed, the joint edge 922 of thetransparent mold core 92 can be installed on the joint portion 912. Thesurface 923 of the transparent mold core 92 further includes a model 924in the shape of a keypad panel for providing the shape of the keypadpanel.

The fixed plate 93 has an opening 931 thereon for passing and projectinglight onto the transparent mold core 92, and the diagonal of the opening931 has a plurality of through holes 932 for passing and securing screws94 into screw holes 916 of the mold base 91 respectively, so that thefixed plate 93 can be installed in the containing space 913 of mold base91. After a plurality of transparent mold cores 92 are installedsequentially in the opening 911 of the mold base 91, the fixed plate 93is installed in the containing space 913 of the mold base 91 forpressing the plurality of transparent mold cores 92, and such designfacilitates the installation or removal of a single transparent moldcore 92. Further, different keypad panels can be manufactured by simplychanging the transparent mold core 2, 92.

Referring to FIG. 10 for a schematic view of an application of thepresent invention, a mold of the inventions is applied for manufacturinga keypad panel 201 of a mobile phone 20. In the process of manufacturingthe keypad panel 201 of the mobile phone 20, the transparent mold coreof the mold is changed to a pattern of the keypad panel 30 of the mobilephone 20, and then the mold is used for manufacturing the keypad panel201 for the mobile phone 20.

Referring to FIG. 11 for a schematic view of another application of thepresent invention, a mold of the invention is applied for manufacturinga keypad panel 301 of an automobile meter panel 30. In the process ofmanufacturing the keypad panel 301 of the automobile meter panel 30, thetransparent mold core of the mold can be changed to manufacture thekeypad panel 201 specifically used for the automobile meter panel 30.

While the invention is described in by way of example and in terms ofpreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, the aim is to cover all modifications,alternatives and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A mold structure for forming a keypad panel, comprising: a mold base, having an opening thereon, a joint portion disposed on an internal periphery of the opening, and a containing space extended from the joint portion and interconnected with the opening; a transparent mold core, having a main body installed in the opening, a joint edge disposed on a periphery of the main body and attached to the joint portion, such that a surface of the transparent mold core is exposed from the opening, and a model disposed on the surface; and a fixed plate, installed in the containing space, and having an opening corresponding to the transparent mold core.
 2. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 1, wherein the joint portion has a stairway-like shape.
 3. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 1, wherein the mold base includes a positioning portion disposed on a surface of the mold base.
 4. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 1, wherein the mold base includes a groove disposed on a surface of the mold base.
 5. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 1, wherein the containing space includes a plurality of screw holes therein.
 6. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 1, wherein the joint edge has a stairway-like shape.
 7. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 1, wherein the fixed plate includes a plurality of through holes disposed around a periphery of the opening.
 8. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 1, further comprising a screw passed through a through hole of the fixed plate and secured into a screw hole of the containing space.
 9. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 1, wherein the model has a keypad panel pattern.
 10. A mold structure for forming a keypad panel, comprising: a mold base, having a plurality of openings thereon, a joint portion disposed on an internal periphery of the opening, and a containing space extended from the joint portion and interconnected with the plurality of openings; a plurality of transparent mold cores, each having a main body installed in the opening, a joint edge disposed on a periphery of the main body and attached with the joint portion, such that a surface of the transparent mold core is exposed from the opening, and a model disposed on the surface; and a fixed plate, installed in the containing space, and having a plurality of openings corresponding to the transparent mold cores.
 11. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 10, wherein the joint portion has a stairway-like shape.
 12. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 10, wherein the mold base includes a positioning portion disposed on a surface of the mold base.
 13. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 10, wherein the mold base includes a groove disposed on a surface of the mold base.
 14. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 10, wherein the containing space includes a plurality of screw holes therein.
 15. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 10, wherein the joint edge has a stairway-like shape.
 16. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 10, wherein the fixed plate includes a plurality of through holes disposed on a periphery of the opening.
 17. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 10, further comprising a screw passed through a through hole of the fixed plate and secured into a screw hole of the containing space.
 18. The mold structure for forming a keypad panel as recited in claim 10, wherein the model has a keypad panel pattern. 